A New Season

Well, it is almost the end of March and everyone is ready for a new season. 
Weather is one of the big topics of conversation but it seems to be because of its lack of consistency.  We had a "tease" of warmer temperatures and people were already looking to do yard work, garden work, and outside improvements.  For us, we began looking ahead and planning for our summer vacation, which we still haven't decided on. 

Just when it was getting warmer, we hit a cold snap that brought a bit of snow, sleet and below normal temperatures.  The shorts and T-shirts went back into the draw and the coats, gloves and long-sleeved shirts came back out. The season didn't change when we really wanted it to.  It's the end of March and the average temperature, according to weather.com, should be 69 degrees not 38.

We also go through seasons in our life.  Many times those seasons don't work on our timetable.  One thing that I am learning about seasons in life is that they come and go.  Some seasons come too quickly and some don't leave soon enough.  The thing to remember about seasons is that they will come and go.  If you are in a tough season in your life right now, don't worry.  It will soon pass.  It may not be as quickly as you would like, but it will pass.

The Wheat family is entering a new season.  Ashlyn is in the last part of her Junior year in high school.  For the record, I'm not old enough for my daughter to be preparing for her senior year.  She has been getting more mail than anyone else in our house because of all the college correspondence.  That's a wake up call for any parent.  Mitchell is finishing up his year in the second grade.  Once again, it seems that time and seasons are going by way too fast.  Krystal is still in grad school and will be finished in December.  She has worked very hard and will complete her masters degree in counseling in an incredible time frame.  I will be finished with my degree in Church Ministries from Southwestern Assemblies of God University in just a few weeks.  I'll graduate on Friday, May 3.  Believe me when I say that I'm ready for that season to pass.  It has been a great experience and it has been an incredible experience.  

Seasons come and go.  You may be ready for a new season in your life.  Just remember, seasons have to run their course.  Seasons in life come and go just like the seasons in a year.  Sometimes the season, just like the weather, is above average or below average.  Always keep in mind, it is a season.

I'll leave us with the thought of the wisest man who ever lived.  His name was Solomon and he wrote the following:

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT)  For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. 2  A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. 3  A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. 4  A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. 5  A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. 6  A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. 7  A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. 8  A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.

PROUD DAD!!!!

I know that people may get tired of hearing about other people's kids, but just indulge me if you will.  I was sitting at my computer doing some work tonight and in the background was the sound of a little seven year old playing his drums.  Now before you cringe, I must let you know they were his Christmas gift this year from us.  Listening to him play isn't bad.  It's jut loud.  He is actually keeping a good beat considering he has never taken a lesson and basically has learned from watching the drummers at church and also drummers on Youtube.  (Sidenote ~ it's amazing what you can learn how to do on Youtube.)  I almost told him to stop and find something else to do but then again, I am actually enjoying listening to him practice.  You see, I am a drummer and I remember all the times when I just sit and played and tried to improve.  Mitchell is already better than I was at seven.

Mitchell isn't the only one in our family who is talented when it comes to music.  Ashlyn plays the guitar and is good for a 16 year old.  She has practiced hard and really loves playing.  The guitar was just the beginning for her.  My dad gave her a box with different harmonicas in it that you can play for different keys.  She began trying them out and the next thing I know she is playing it during a worship song in church.  She already plays the guitar for worship and she was playing the harmonica as well that day.  Ashlyn loves Bluegrass.  Krystal, my wife, still hasn't figured that one out.  Not too long ago Ashlyn announced that she wanted to buy a banjo.  Within a couple of weeks she had found a potential banjo that she may purchase.  Once again, she just picked it up and plucked around on it.  As far as I knew she hadn't really had much time to pluck around on it.  Then me and Krystal entered the sanctuary a couple of weeks ago and the praise team had just began to play.  When I walked in the back door, someone in the back asked us, "Hey, when did Ashlyn start playing the banjo?"  I looked up and there she was on the platform playing the banjo.  It sounded great and that was when I realized she may be one of those people that can pick up an instrument and just like that begin playing it.  Oh, I didn't mention the ukulele that her grandparents got her for Christmas.  She is plucking on it now but I'm sure it won't be long until we hear a sweet melody coming from her room as she learns another instrument.

Yes, I am one proud dad but I am also thankful that both of our children love to play and use the gifts God has given to them for His glory.  Keep it up kids!!!